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The tropical cyclone that hit the French overseas department of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean was the strongest in more than 90 years, France's meteorological service said. Powerful Cyclone Chido hit Mayotte with the equivalent strength of a Category 4 hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean or a Category 4 typhoon in the Pacific Ocean. Wind gusts of more than 220 km/h (137 mph) were seen across the area. "We are talking about a cyclone of unprecedented magnitude for Mayotte in more than 90 years," the weather service said in a statement on the X social network.
Agence France-Presse, citing a source, reported that two people died in the hurricane.
Acting French Transport Minister François Durovray said that the infrastructure on the island was seriously damaged by the cyclone. The department's airport was heavily damaged, especially the control tower.
In turn, acting Minister of Ecological Transition and Energy Agnès Pannier-Runacher said that more than 15,000 households were left without electricity due to the devastating hurricane.
Mayotte is France's largest overseas island, with a population of 320,000.
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